Misuse of park irks Friends Colony residents

NAGPUR: Residents of Friends Colony have approached the municipal commissioner Sanjiv Jaiswal to intervene and stop misuse of society's Neem Park in their locality. Residents alleged that the park which was developed by the Friends Colony Plot Holders' Association some decade ago is reportedly being used for private functions on payment.
In fact the society office-bearers were allegedly misusing their power and give the park on rent of Rs 5,000 per day.Ironically, all the functions at the park were organised not taking proper electric connections and all are taking illegally direct connection from over head running wires. The organiser use huge illumination of electric lights. Moreover, this is happening since last many years, claimed Dilip Bhagde, one of the residents.
Recently, there was a big wedding reception for which entire Neem Park was decorated like a 'Palace' using huge coloured lights, big halogens. But the connection was taken by putting hook from overhead wires.
"During such functions, all roads of nearby Neem Park are full of four and two-wheelers and they are being parked in front of gates of residents, which caused us a big problem," rued another resident Manohar Gotmare.
Pravin Rajurkar, Laxman Gehani and other residents also pointed out that the association is also encouraging unauthorised vendors near the park. Society secretary J T Adane admitted that he used to allow private functions at the park. He further clarified that the rent collected through private function is being used for maintenance works of the colony. "Today, it is one of the posh localities in the city," he claimed.
However, after objections from the residents, the society has decided to stop usage of the park for private functions, said Adane.
Spanco officials confirmed about receiving complaints about organizing private functions on the park without taking valid electric connection. The Spanco has already served a notice to the association in this regard. However, on the contrary, NMC garden superintendent N B Shrikhande said that they could not initiate any action to stop misuse of the park. He stated that as it was constructed by the society people, so it falls in their jurisdiction.